Determination of Permeation Pathways of Clindamycin Phosphate into the Skin

Extensive research has been conducted in the recent years with a focus on drug administration via the skin for both topical and systemic drug delivery. Understanding the drug permeation through the skin is crucial for the development of an optimal product. In this study, the permeation of clindamycin phosphate through the pig's ear was evaluated. Both plugged and non-plugged skin was used. In non-plugged skin, the hair follicle orifices were open and a significant amount of clindamycin phosphate was detected. However, plugged skin, in which hair follicle orifices were artificially blocked, clindamycin phosphate can only penetrate to a less extent through interfollicular epidermis and possible through sweat glands. The study was performed using a Franz-type diffusion cell for 24 hours. The samples were withdrawn for each time interval and were analyzed by UV spectrophotometer. Cumulative amount of permeated clindamycin phosphate was compared using the drug concentration. The difference in the percentage of drug permeated through plugged and non-plugged was57.67%. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that the follicular route is an important route for the drug delivery through the skin.